Ardie Savea

Ardie Savea is one of the finest loose forwards to ever pick up a rugby ball. A regular for the All Blacks and a star on the international stage, he was voted as World Rugby Men’s 15s Player of the Year in 2023. 

Born on 14 October 1993, Ardie Savea began playing rugby during his youth. He took to the game immediately and was a member of the Rongotai College 1st XV. Interestingly, during his younger years, Savea played as an outside centre. He only switched to play in the forwards during his professional career. 

Savea’s professional career began in 2012, when he featured for both the New Zealand sevens team and Wellington. A year later, he made his debut for the Hurricanes in Super Rugby. In 2013, he also travelled with the All Blacks to Europe, becoming the first non-playing apprentice to do so. 

Ever since, he’s played the vast majority of his domestic rugby in New Zealand. Here he’s represented Wellington (2012-present) and the Hurricanes (2013-2023). From 2025, he will represent Moana Pasifika. Outside of New Zealand rugby, Savea also enjoyed a brief sabbatical in Japan, where he represented Kobelco Kobe Steelers (2023-2024).

Although he’s been a force at domestic level and won the Super Rugby title with the Hurricanes in 2016, he’s saved his best rugby for the international stage. 

Since 2016, he’s been capped almost 100 times by the All Blacks and has represented his country at two Rugby World Cups. Thanks to his standout performances at the Rugby World Cup in 2023, he was voted as the World Rugby Player of the Year. 

Still young and with plenty still to prove, we can’t wait to see what else Ardie Savea can achieve in the game.